Enhancement of botrallin and TMC-264 production in liquid culture of endophytic fungus Hyalodendriella sp. Ponipodef12 after treatments with metal ions

Background: Hyalodendriella sp. Ponipodef12, an endophytic fungus from a poplar hybrid, was a high producer of botrallin and TMC-264 with various bioactivities. In this study, the influences of eight metal ions (i.e.,Mn2+,Na+, Mg2+,Zn2+,Cu2+,Fe2+,Fe3+ and Al3+) on botrallin and TMC-264 production in liquid culture of the endophytic fungus Hyalodendriella sp. Ponipodef12 were investigated. Results: Three most effective metal ions (Zn2+,Cu2+ and Mg2+) along with their optimum concentrations were screened. The optimum addition time and concentrations of Zn2+,Cu2+ and Mg2+ were further obtained respectively for improving botrallin and TMC-264 production. The combination effects of Zn2+,Cu2+ and Mg2+ on the production of botrallin and TMC-264 by employing statistical method based on the central composite design (CCD) and response surface methodology (RSM) were evaluated, and two quadratic predictive models were developed for botrallin and TMC-264 production. The yields of botrallin and TMC-264, which were predicted as 144.12 mg/L and 36.04 mg/L respectively, were validated to be 146.51 mg/L and 36.63 mg/L accordingly with the optimum concentrations of Zn2+ at 0.81 mmol/L, Cu2+ at 0.20 mmol/L, and Mg2+ at 0.13 mmol/L in medium. Conclusion: The results indicated that the enhancement of botrallin and TMC-264 accumulation in liquid culture of the endophytic fungus Hyalodendriella sp. Ponipodef12 by the metal ions and their combination should be an effective strategy.

The challenges of introducing a new biofungicide to the market: a case study

Background: Scientific literature contains many reports documenting the isolation and antagonist-testing of microorganisms with the potential for biological control in agriculture, however, very few have addressed all aspects involved in the long process that occurs before a potential strain, found and tested in laboratory, can reach commercialization. Results: After a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary effort to develop a biological control agent with remarkable technical characteristics and performance, the fungicide Fungifree AB® was recently introduced in Mexican market. This product that has no chemical residues and is environmentally friendly which can be used by mango, avocado, papaya and citrus fruits (and other crops in the short term) producers to increase crops quality, and therefore, to access world markets. Conclusions: The successful introduction of Fungifree AB® in the Mexican market has been the result of a wide variety of factors: remarkable product technical characteristics, researchers' high scientific level, mango producers and exporters' interest in testing the product and commercial companies interested in its distribution.